Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatality on East Highway 80 (Press Release)

by Traffic Division, Friday, December 28, 2012, 01:00 (2247 days ago)

ABILENE, TX – Early this morning at about 8:38 am, officers with the Abilene Police Department (APD) responded to a major motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles in the 2800 block of East Highway 80. The initial report was relayed to APD dispatch by an eyewitness. Emergency medical personnel were also dispatched to the scene. The highway was temporarily blocked off to traffic during this investigation because the crash scene involved debris and vehicles in all four lanes of the highway.

Officers with the Traffic Division were summoned to assist in this investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck, traveling eastbound in the outside lane, collided with a 1990 Ford Aerostar van that was traveling westbound in the inside lane. The driver of the Dodge truck lost control of the vehicle, crossed the centerlines, and continued traveling into the oncoming Ford van. The driver of the Dodge truck braked prior to the collision as evidenced by visible skid marks. The left front-end of the Dodge collided with the right front-end of the Ford van, pushing the van off the roadway where it came to rest on its side on the north side of the highway. The Dodge pickup truck began to spin after colliding with the van and was subsequently struck by another oncoming westbound vehicle, a 2004 Toyota 4Runner, that was also traveling in the inside lane. Both the Dodge truck and the Toyota came to a stop on the highway.

The sole male occupant/driver of the Ford van succumbed to his injuries sustained in the collision and died on scene. He was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Mike Pueschel and was identified as Mr. Randy J. Fox (age 53) of Baird, TX. Next of kin was notified. The Dodge truck was occupied by two males identified as James A. Hill (driver, age 30) and Andrew T. Page (passenger, age 31). The sole female occupant/driver of the Toyota was identified as Michaela T. Ortiz (age 30). These three persons were transported by ambulance to Hendrick Medical Center for non-incapacitating injuries. They were observed talking and coherent while being treated at the hospital.

All persons in these vehicles were found to be wearing their seatbelts. Investigators discovered that the road conditions were slick due to moisture being present on the highway at the time of the collision and could have been a contributing factor. Blood samples were taken from Mr. Fox and Mr. Hill. At this time we do not suspect alcohol to be a contributing factor.

No criminal charges have been filed pending further investigation. This investigation continues under case # 12-23725.